Reinforcing the Directorate of Emergency and Meteorology’s public safety messaging on social networks

The Deputy Minister of Security of the Basque Government, Josu Zubiaga, (photo left) and the President of the Association of Digital Emergency Volunteers VOST Euskadi, Jokin Zubieta, (photo right), have signed a collaboration agreement to work together in an emergency and security civil partnership.

The new agreement signed February 25th 2015 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, establishes a framework for collaboration between the Department of Safety, through the Directorate of Emergency and Meteorology, and VOST Euskadi, in a partnership aimed at optimum use of information disseminated through social networks in emergency situations and especially serious collective risk, disaster and public calamity.

The Directorate of Emergency and Meteorology currently maintains two accounts on Twitter, @Euskalmet, with 42,000 followers and @ 112_SOSDeiak with 10,000 followers, through which it aims to keep people informed of protective action deemed appropriate to take at all times.

In addition to support VOST Euskadi gives to both accounts, placing value on official information and avoiding hoaxes and rumors that could produce unintended consequences, this agreement also provides for the implementation of joint action outreach, training and research related to self-protection, risk management and public safety.

It is important to have this team of digital volunteers in emergencies that can support emergency services accounts on social networks, helping our messages go viral and above all, to detect and neutralize hoaxes and rumors, making official information more accessible.” stated the Deputy Minister of Security, Josu Zubiaga.

With the signing of this agreement, VOST Euskadi will be entered in the register of collaborating Civil Protection voluntary organizations and included in the various regional emergency plans developed in Basque Country (the Comunidad Autónoma Vasca). The intent is for the agreement to be renewed annually.

The Colorado Virtual Operations Support Team has been activated to support Eagle County during the 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships.

The mission of the COVOST is to lead and support the State of Colorado and local Colorado communities through the innovative use of social media and other online tools. The team has been activated by Eagle County to watch social media for emergency management concerns, rumors, mentions of agencies & amplification of official messages sent by approved agencies during the 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships.

By the end of the third day, the team had logged over 120 hours in support of @EagleCountyPIO and reported that the trend on social media showed excited spectators, busy media and engaged vendors.

Our members are excited to be a part of #Vail2015! As of last night the team had logged over 120 hours in support of @EagleCountyPIO.

The Colorado Virtual Operations Support Team is managed by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and is made up of volunteers spread across the state, the nation and the world. Multiple members across seven different states have been involved in this activation. The team will remain activated through February 15th.

Wonder how the team works? Check out this VOST Introduction and Orientation Video:

Weather Ready Nation Ambassadors

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S.

Heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions are forecast Monday into earlyWednesday from the NYC metro area up into the Boston metro area, with snow as far south as Washington, D.C. This storm will likely cause dangerous travel conditions, power outages, and coastal flooding.

Action:

Please share the graphics below in email and social media pushes to reach those you know who may find them helpful.

Keep up with the latest forecasts and warnings at www.weather.gov and NWS social media:

Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST) as applied to emergency management and disaster recovery is an effort to make use of new communication technologies and social media tools so that a team of trusted agents can lend support via the internet to those on-site who may otherwise be overwhelmed by the volume of data generated during a disaster. VOS Teams (VOST) are activated to perform specific functions in support of affected organizations & jurisdictions. Each VOST has a Team Leader that reports directly to the affected organization/jurisdiction. As additional VOSTs are established, a VOS Group (VOSG) may be established to coordinate the work of the VOSTs to maintain an effective span of control. The VOSG has a Group Supervisor that reports to the affected organization/jurisdiction. The VOST Leaders report to the Group Supervisor.